Respons ... ibility
Commentary
Listen to most people talk about responsibility and you will soon hear them speaking of duty and obligation. Generally their words are couched in terms that lay heavy on the hearer. There is something we must, or ought, to do.
The easy thing to do is to let our thoughts run in a straight line from such suggestions and assume there must be some sanction hanging over our heads in the case we do not keep our duty or obligation. Surely there is some threat, some cost, some price to be paid for our non-performance.
Such thinking is generally associated with the concern for salvation. It is suggested there are things we must do, duties to be performed, standards to be met, demands to be met if we are to expect salvation and the rewards which go with it.
But Take Another Look at the Word Responsibility ...
I have always been grateful to one of my fourth grade teachers who once told our class that if you wanted to understand a big word all you had to do was to break it down into smaller words. So do that.
Then you have Respons ... bility.
What is expected of us is a response to something already done. We are reminded that God, in his gracious way, has already taken the initiative, secured our salvation, and whatever we do is our response to what he has already done. So, to speak of our responsibility is to speak of our ability to respond, to show our gratitude, to demonstrate our acceptance, to act out our thanksgiving for such a God who takes such actions on our behalf.
All too often we make the error of couching our presentation of what we persist in calling the Good News in terms and words that bring in dark clouds and weigh heavy on the hearers. Let us persist in being consistent. If it is the Good News we are proclaiming, then let it be the good news that we have something to respond to and that we are given the ability to respond.
OUTLINE I
Listening for the Trumpet
Ezekiel 33:1-11
Introduction: Take time to review the circumstances to which Ezekiel is called to speak. While his counterpart, Jeremiah, stays in Jerusalem to speak to the people as they are carried off into exile by Nebuchadnezzar's forces in the early sixth century B.C., Ezekiel is carried off with the first and the best to Babylon and, it is there he is called to speak to God's people. Check out 2 Kings 25 and Ezekiel 1:1-3.
1. The Call to Be a Watchman. What a responsibility! To have to speak straight to the people, say things they do not want to hear, to be a spokesman for God. Ezekiel must have been somewhat overwhelmed by his assignment. He hears that if he does not speak the word of warning, if he does not blow the trumpet, he will be responsible for what the people suffer. No minister, no Sunday school teacher, no leader can hear such a word without feeling a heavy sense of responsibility.
2. The Sword and the Trumpet. What an extraordinary example of God's grace. The sword never comes without warning. The trumpet is the sign of his grace -- another chance, the opportunity to turn from evil ways and be saved.
Note further that the word is spoken clearly: God has no pleasure in the death of the wicked. Too often we imagine God as some Oriental despot who enjoys watching the sinful suffer. Such a picture is a distortion of the God of grace who grieves when he announces the coming flood to Noah, who places his mark of protection on Cain, who gives his people up (Romans 1) with a broken heart.
3. What Comes From Listening. Read carefully. The exile, the death may still come, but it can come either on people still in their guilt or freed from it. We imagine God will remove even the consequences of our actions. It may be too late for that. What he can and will do is to remove our guilt.
Conclusion: In every congregation there are those called to bring the message and those called to hear. Help them sort themselves out and respond appropriately.
OUTLINE II
Counting the Cost
Luke 14:25-33
Introduction: As you begin remember that Jesus' ministry went through several stages. At the outset he was very popular. Everybody seemed to want to hear what he had to say. But later the storm clouds gather when they begin to realize he is not supporting their dreams. Note today's selection begins with a reminder that the great multitudes are still coming.
1. The Hard Saying. Jesus knows the multitudes are coming for the wrong reasons. In John 6, he accuses the crowds of coming only because they get plenty to eat.
This is a good place to deal with those unworthy motives present in every congregation. There are always those who are looking for a good deal. You will remember that, in several places, his closest associates -- the disciples -- are more concerned for their reward than anything else.
Jesus makes it clear there is a cost involved in being his disciple. Little wonder some begin to drift away.
2. The Vivid Example. Everybody is ready to follow a band. Few are ready to get involved in a parade that is headed toward certain sacrifice. Jesus reminds them, and anyone else who will listen, that the cost ought to be counted up front.
Without a doubt you can ride around your town and find buildings and projects that were started and, for some reason, abandoned. They can be used to good advantage since everybody in town will be familiar with them. Then apply it to daily life.
Conclusion: Speak as clearly as you can to hangers on, those who are present looking for something -- public acceptance, a good reputation, the hope for heaven, to enjoy the fellowship, to see the pretty girls. You can have some fun with it. But let the fun end and be serious. Being a Christian is not meant to be a social affair. It is serious business. Jesus' decisions cost him his life. How far are we ready to go?
OUTLINE III
How To Assure a Return On Your Investment
Philemon 1-20
Introduction: Do some work on this little letter before you proceed. Barclay has some interesting suggestions which ought to be considered. It is clear that Onesimus is a runaway slave who has come to Paul and served for a time. Be sure to separate the slavery of that day from the slavery known in this country. Study will reveal to you that slaves then were often more highly educated than their owners, sometimes even more socially adept. Onesimus is somebody of worth.
1. Paul's Trap. Note how congratulatory Paul is to Philemon. Anybody would by to receive such a letter. Philemon must have truly been a nice guy. Paul is not just buttering him up. But is clear he has something more in mind than just making Philemon feel good. Surely he is laying a trap.
2. The Trap Opens. Paul is depriving himself. He is sending Onesimus back. He wanted to keep him. He was so helpful. But Paul knows it is the right thing to do.
3. The Trap Springs. How Can Philemon resist the suggestion that Paul makes? Paul wants Onesimus only if he can have him as a gift. If he is to stay with Philemon, Paul wants him to be free. All of us would like to know how the story came out. Surely we can assume the best motives prevailed.
Conclusion: Often we hear the old saw which reminds us that more flies are caught by honey than any other bait. It must have been well-known in Paul's day, too. We would do well to keep it in mind. Note however that Paul is fully aware he might not get what he wants, so he asks for something for someone else. Are we that gracious?
The easy thing to do is to let our thoughts run in a straight line from such suggestions and assume there must be some sanction hanging over our heads in the case we do not keep our duty or obligation. Surely there is some threat, some cost, some price to be paid for our non-performance.
Such thinking is generally associated with the concern for salvation. It is suggested there are things we must do, duties to be performed, standards to be met, demands to be met if we are to expect salvation and the rewards which go with it.
But Take Another Look at the Word Responsibility ...
I have always been grateful to one of my fourth grade teachers who once told our class that if you wanted to understand a big word all you had to do was to break it down into smaller words. So do that.
Then you have Respons ... bility.
What is expected of us is a response to something already done. We are reminded that God, in his gracious way, has already taken the initiative, secured our salvation, and whatever we do is our response to what he has already done. So, to speak of our responsibility is to speak of our ability to respond, to show our gratitude, to demonstrate our acceptance, to act out our thanksgiving for such a God who takes such actions on our behalf.
All too often we make the error of couching our presentation of what we persist in calling the Good News in terms and words that bring in dark clouds and weigh heavy on the hearers. Let us persist in being consistent. If it is the Good News we are proclaiming, then let it be the good news that we have something to respond to and that we are given the ability to respond.
OUTLINE I
Listening for the Trumpet
Ezekiel 33:1-11
Introduction: Take time to review the circumstances to which Ezekiel is called to speak. While his counterpart, Jeremiah, stays in Jerusalem to speak to the people as they are carried off into exile by Nebuchadnezzar's forces in the early sixth century B.C., Ezekiel is carried off with the first and the best to Babylon and, it is there he is called to speak to God's people. Check out 2 Kings 25 and Ezekiel 1:1-3.
1. The Call to Be a Watchman. What a responsibility! To have to speak straight to the people, say things they do not want to hear, to be a spokesman for God. Ezekiel must have been somewhat overwhelmed by his assignment. He hears that if he does not speak the word of warning, if he does not blow the trumpet, he will be responsible for what the people suffer. No minister, no Sunday school teacher, no leader can hear such a word without feeling a heavy sense of responsibility.
2. The Sword and the Trumpet. What an extraordinary example of God's grace. The sword never comes without warning. The trumpet is the sign of his grace -- another chance, the opportunity to turn from evil ways and be saved.
Note further that the word is spoken clearly: God has no pleasure in the death of the wicked. Too often we imagine God as some Oriental despot who enjoys watching the sinful suffer. Such a picture is a distortion of the God of grace who grieves when he announces the coming flood to Noah, who places his mark of protection on Cain, who gives his people up (Romans 1) with a broken heart.
3. What Comes From Listening. Read carefully. The exile, the death may still come, but it can come either on people still in their guilt or freed from it. We imagine God will remove even the consequences of our actions. It may be too late for that. What he can and will do is to remove our guilt.
Conclusion: In every congregation there are those called to bring the message and those called to hear. Help them sort themselves out and respond appropriately.
OUTLINE II
Counting the Cost
Luke 14:25-33
Introduction: As you begin remember that Jesus' ministry went through several stages. At the outset he was very popular. Everybody seemed to want to hear what he had to say. But later the storm clouds gather when they begin to realize he is not supporting their dreams. Note today's selection begins with a reminder that the great multitudes are still coming.
1. The Hard Saying. Jesus knows the multitudes are coming for the wrong reasons. In John 6, he accuses the crowds of coming only because they get plenty to eat.
This is a good place to deal with those unworthy motives present in every congregation. There are always those who are looking for a good deal. You will remember that, in several places, his closest associates -- the disciples -- are more concerned for their reward than anything else.
Jesus makes it clear there is a cost involved in being his disciple. Little wonder some begin to drift away.
2. The Vivid Example. Everybody is ready to follow a band. Few are ready to get involved in a parade that is headed toward certain sacrifice. Jesus reminds them, and anyone else who will listen, that the cost ought to be counted up front.
Without a doubt you can ride around your town and find buildings and projects that were started and, for some reason, abandoned. They can be used to good advantage since everybody in town will be familiar with them. Then apply it to daily life.
Conclusion: Speak as clearly as you can to hangers on, those who are present looking for something -- public acceptance, a good reputation, the hope for heaven, to enjoy the fellowship, to see the pretty girls. You can have some fun with it. But let the fun end and be serious. Being a Christian is not meant to be a social affair. It is serious business. Jesus' decisions cost him his life. How far are we ready to go?
OUTLINE III
How To Assure a Return On Your Investment
Philemon 1-20
Introduction: Do some work on this little letter before you proceed. Barclay has some interesting suggestions which ought to be considered. It is clear that Onesimus is a runaway slave who has come to Paul and served for a time. Be sure to separate the slavery of that day from the slavery known in this country. Study will reveal to you that slaves then were often more highly educated than their owners, sometimes even more socially adept. Onesimus is somebody of worth.
1. Paul's Trap. Note how congratulatory Paul is to Philemon. Anybody would by to receive such a letter. Philemon must have truly been a nice guy. Paul is not just buttering him up. But is clear he has something more in mind than just making Philemon feel good. Surely he is laying a trap.
2. The Trap Opens. Paul is depriving himself. He is sending Onesimus back. He wanted to keep him. He was so helpful. But Paul knows it is the right thing to do.
3. The Trap Springs. How Can Philemon resist the suggestion that Paul makes? Paul wants Onesimus only if he can have him as a gift. If he is to stay with Philemon, Paul wants him to be free. All of us would like to know how the story came out. Surely we can assume the best motives prevailed.
Conclusion: Often we hear the old saw which reminds us that more flies are caught by honey than any other bait. It must have been well-known in Paul's day, too. We would do well to keep it in mind. Note however that Paul is fully aware he might not get what he wants, so he asks for something for someone else. Are we that gracious?
